UK’s Prime Minister pledges councils more powers over gambling shops

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to give local authorities stronger powers to control gambling shops on high streets, answering longstanding calls from councils for greater oversight.

During last week's Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour MP Dawn Butler pressed Starmer on the issue, which has drawn growing concern among local leaders.

“It is important that local authorities are given additional tools and powers to ensure vibrant high streets,” Starmer said. “We are looking, Mr Speaker, at introducing cumulative impact assessments. These are like those already in place for alcohol licensing. We will give councils stronger powers over the location and numbers of gambling outlets to help create safe, thriving, high streets.”

The commitment follows a letter sent in April by Brent Council and 38 other local governments to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), calling for reforms to the 2005 Gambling Act. Councils argue the current “aim to permit” clause tilts the balance towards approving applications, and want assessments to consider household debt levels, as well as powers to reject licences on community welfare grounds and curb gambling advertising.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan had pledged to ban gambling ads on the Underground before taking office, but has yet to follow through, prompting renewed pressure from the London Assembly Health Committee.

The debate comes as the Treasury weighs a possible tax overhaul, with plans to merge three existing gambling taxes into a single 21% Remote Gaming Duty. The outcome is expected in the Autumn Budget on November 26.